The Cozy Mystery List Blog

Cozy Mystery (and Other Favorite) Books, Movies, and TV

Stephen Booth, Ellen Crosby, Eileen Davidson, & Elspeth Huxley: Four New Authors to the Cozy Mystery Site…

Yes, it’s that time again! I just added four new authors to the site and want to thank you all for the recommendations. Of course, it goes without saying that since they are just newly recommended authors, I can’t vouch for them. I haven’t read any of the four of them YET, but they do look very interesting.

Stephen Booth: Cooper & Fry Mystery Series. Stephen Booth was a journalist before he decided to become an author full-time. His series takes place in Derbyshire, England.  (He is also considered a goat expert!)

Ellen Crosby: Wine Country Mystery Series. Crosby holds a Master’s in International Relations and was a journalist. Her series takes place in Virginia and features a winery owner.

Eileen Davidson: Soap Opera Mystery Series. Davidson writes this series which is set in the world of soap operas. If any of you are fans of the very popular Young and Restless soap opera… you will no doubt recognize her name, as she has been one of the leading actresses on that particular show for years.

Elspeth Huxley: Superintendent Vachell Mystery Series. This series takes place in Kenya. When a site reader recommended Huxley for me to add to the site, I could not believe that the recommendation came at the exact same time that my husband and I were watching The Flame Trees of Thika… a non-mystery written by Huxley!

Inspector Morse Shows…

The Inspector Morse (British) mystery series is based on Colin Dexter’s wonderful series of books. My husband and I are both fans of Dexter’s novels and the television shows. I believe I read some place that when  Colin Dexter was approached to make his mystery novels into a television series, he chose John Thaw to portray the very cerebral, very cultured, Oxford-educated Inspector Morse. What perfect casting! Kevin Whately is also perfectly cast as Morse’s Sergeant Lewis.

The series takes place in Oxford (Inspector Morse’s Alma Mater.) It is probably superfluous for me to say the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. This goes without saying since the location is supposed to be Oxford! If you’re into beautiful, old brick buildings with ivy growing up the walls and well-manicured court yards and of course, great mysteries, then you will probably enjoy the Inspector Morse series.

As in most British mysteries, you will be able to enjoy seeing some of Great Britain’s favorite leading men and women in guest starring roles. That is always a particular treat for me! The acting in the Inspector Morse mysteries is very convincing. And the wardrobe is what I envision it should be. Even Inspector Morse’s apartment is exactly what fans of the show would expect it to be. A lot of thought has been put into this series, which allows the viewer to sit back and enjoy the mysteries.

Inspector Morse always gets his man, but hardly ever gets the woman, and usually never follows police protocol. His sergeant is a happily married man with the usual “children worries” and always want to follow the rules. These two make quite a pair!

(I know I have said this before. I sure miss seeing these types of quality mystery shows on my PBS station!)

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John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey

The creator of one of the most memorable mystery characters has passed away. John Mortimer wrote the Rumpole of the Bailey books which have entertained many people for many years. Mortimer passed away on Friday, January 16th (2009). His creation of Horace Rumpole, a Barrister at the Old Bailey in London, is such a uniquely different character.

Horace isn’t a flashy “know it all” type of defense lawyer. If anything, the other lawyers in the office think of him as not very smart, someone who drinks a “little” more than he should, someone with whom they don’t want to chair a case. But for some reason, Horace usually wins his cases. Perhaps because he believes that everyone deserves a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance… as many chances as it takes before they retire from their lives of crime. 

Horace is that type of character. He may not be the smartest in the group, but if he’s on your side, you have a very good chance of getting to go home instead of staying in jail. And all of this is because Horace Rumpole is a cunning barrister who is able to manipulate the system.

As a barrister himself, Mortimer was able to show the reader (and in the case of the television series, the viewer) the petty machinations of a British law office. Fortunately for us, Horace was almost oblivious to the dog-eat-dog environment. He actually seemed to prefer being at the office than going home to “She who must be obeyed.” (his wife Hilda.) Mortimer was able to make us (the readers and/or viewers) like Horace, even though Horace is very flawed.

So, although John Mortimer passed away, Horace Rumpole will live on…

Hercule Poirot with David Suchet

All of you Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie’s Belgian private detective) fans are more than likely already aware of David Suchet’s wonderful portrayal of the rather prim, always correct detective. For those of you very few people who have not yet experienced any of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot delightful shows, you will be glad to know that you have many hours of entertainment to look forward to.

The setting is London in the 1930s. The scenery is perfect. I love the outside shots of the London streets: the architectural detailing is exactly how I imagine it must have been back then. As a lover of art deco, I love seeing the “modern” furniture, the clothes, and cars.

The long running British series starred four regulars: David Suchet as Poirot, Hugh Fraser as Capt. Hastings (his not-so-astute side kick), Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp, and Poirot’s very capable, always correct secretary Miss Lemon was played by Pauline Moran. All of them “became” the characters they portrayed for this series. (I have since seen two of the actors in other projects, and was surprised to see one of them playing the evil villain!)

What a treat it is to watch these shows… from Poirot’s penguin-like walk to Poirot trimming his  waxed moustache. The attention to detail really pays off for the viewer. Miss Lemon’s bobby pin curls, Capt. Hastings’ car fetish, and even Inspector Japp’s overcoat… the detailing is perfect. It’s all a treat to watch! And, the friendship between Inspector Japp and Poirot goes so much farther than the predictable rivalry that “modern day” shows depict.

This Poirot series is as cozy as you can find. I truly believe that Agatha Christie would have been very happy with this series… no gore, plenty of humor, great ambiance, quirky characters (Poirot being the quirkiest! – a model for today’s “Monk” character) and no need for “adult” situations. Poirot is able to solve all of the cases with the use of his “little gray cells” so that Inspector Japp is able to close the cases, and retain his dignity.

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